The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-11-13
A SEVERE TEST.

"There is one reason, my dear boy,
why you and l cannot marry for the
present. have been Drought up to do
nothing but play the piano, entertain
company, and try to look pretty, and 1
should only be drag to you. Artists,
you know, have no time to bother with
wives.
In such language did L, Julian Van
court, receive my dismissal from Eliza
beth Shinstone, whom I had been en-
gagged to for three years and fondly
hoped to marry.
That l was a painter whose pictures
did not sell was true, and when I got
home and thought the matter over,
even saw that she was right, and con.
cluded l would try a new tack, for /
couldn't give her up.
l had friend, an old college chum
Fred Denbigh, royal good fellow. free
hearted, open-handed, and as loyal as a
Scot. Putting aside my brushes,
sought Denbigh; then we dined
together, and soon afterward returned
to my rooIns alone. Late that evening
when [ went out again. l could have
met my principal creditor and safely
! defed the danger of recognition. had
sacrificed my beard-that profusely
flowing beard which, if sons what I'M
tidy, was also of that picturesque kind
most affected by artists. 1 had sacri-
feed it without pang, and by so doing
had completely destroyed by identity.
In point of fact, l was now a tall, well =
built and clean-shaven young fellow,
not altogether bad looking, and Ger
tainly attired with the most scrupulous
regard TO neatness and refinement.
Nor was L Julian Vancourt-I was
plain John Warner, and | was to start
at mid night for the west, commissioned
by Denbigh to look after certain claims
IN which he had an interest. Two weeks
later, I read in a New Yerk paper a
long account of the mysterious disap-
pearance of Julian Vancourt, an artist
OF recognized ability, who, after years
of honorable endeavor, had attained an
enviable position in his profession, and
babe fair to become one of the greatest
historical painters of the age. 1 laid
aside the paper with a curious sort of
shiyer; felt like man might feel who
has Just seen his own tombstone. But,
then, was dead YOU know-legally so,
at least. A letter from Denbigh fol-
lowed close upon the paper. Here is an
extract:
"Tne pictures went off like wildfre.
Each brought fabulous price. Every
thing is sold, and ColoDel Shinstone
bought your 'Jephthah's Daughter,
because it resembles his daughter, 1
suppose. At any rate, he has it. He
sterner tLan ever. l have heard that
is i'll. No one seems to see much
of her, and her friends say some spite
! full things about her and the dead man,
poor grill"
| In few years, having accumulated
fortune by hard labor, hurried back to
New York and at once sought my old
friend Denbigh, in his studio. He
seemed very changed. 1 thought.
And Elizabeth" 1 had questioned,
as our hands met.
She is we'll" he returned, briefly.
"And not married yet" he added,
answering the eager inquiry in my eyes
We'll, shall sea her presently; but
first we shall dine together, my boy,
you and l."
For a moment Denbi{h was silent,
then he suddenly exclaimed:
Julian, We can never break bread to-
gether again. have been false to my
trust. God help me, love Elizabeth
Shinsuone!"
You love Elizateth Shinstone?"
repeated. "You?"
"Could l help it? Was l to blame
Am I more than g man2 And the
wrongdoing was yours-yours alone
An angel stood IN your path, and, blind
fool that you were, you turned aside
from it. On, VAncourt, old friend, kill
me if you will, but don't look at me like
that. Before heaven I swear that |
have fought against this thing, but -"
And Elizabeth ?" | interrupted.
81 have never breathed a syllable to
her that you might not have heard.
You see, there are still greater depths
of treachery that l have not reached.
No, have not told it to her."
Then you must tell it to her."
Denbigh's haggard eyes met mine
questioningly.
go to her" continued. Tel her
and hear her answer"
Are you serious?"
r'As if | stood on the threshold OF
eternity. If she is what believe her to
be- l need not fear. If she is not, well,
even then, shall know it at once. GoW
Julian, surely you love her still?"
Yes, [ love her, but the woman 1
SO1AC W luO WlGAOul GlS
shadow of a DOUBT to cross our lives
Go! but remember this: Say nothing
of my return, not even if-it all is as
you wish It'll"
So waited there in Denbigh's studio
while he went to win the one for whom
[, in earnest faith and true loyalty, had
worked so long and so patiently. How
those three weary hours of my solitude
dragged on l cannot tell; but all what
tender memories, what frightful fore
bodings, what glimpses OF heaven, what
fortunes of the neither world were mine
Had l but known her better, known
her as she was, weak, vain, frivolous
creature All. had [ been less of fool
A fool? Aye, yes, thrice-sodden. for
who but fool would have exposed the
woman he loved to such temptation?
At last there came step upon the
stairs, hand upon the door latch.
arose. 1t was Denbigh's servant, and
he gave me a sealed envelope. l tore it
open and read:
go to her. She does not know you
are here. Do not wait for me. Go at
once"
And so at o1ce'I went the Way had